My Results are in ~ It’s Cancer

09 Sep My Results are in ~ It’s Cancer

Dr. Post called with my biopsy results and told me I have a very rare form of bone cancer called chondrosarcoma.

I am very blessed because it is Grade One meaning, it’s treatable through surgery and the percentage of recurrence is very low. Thank you Jesus!

Chemo and radiation won’t help my type of cancer so it needs to be completely removed through surgery ~ no pressure! I go in Tuesday, September 15 to have the tumor removed from my arm. Once the tumor is removed and the area is treated and frozen for a couple added layers of protection, the empty space in the bone will be replaced with bone cement. There will be metal rods going through the cement, similar to how they lay re-bar in concrete sidewalks and driveways. He’s also going to add a long metal plate from my shoulder to my elbow will offer another layer of re-enforcement to make sure the repair holds up over the years to come.

Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th. I’m staying at the glorious Spectrum Health Medical Center enjoying the incredible architecture of Grand Rapid’s Medical Mile. I’ll be in the resort for two glorious days while they monitor my drains and make sure there is no infection or complications before sending me home. Ok, ok, it’s a hospital, not a resort and I’ll probably be too drugged up to even look out the window ~ but hey, I have to think positive right?

Don’t let me fool you, the recovery is going to be tough. Yes, it’s in my dominant arm, the one I paint with ~ for all of you out there who were wondering. Thankfully, I’m ambidextrous with just about everything except writing but there are going to be many things I won’t be able to do for myself the first few weeks which will be a very humbling experience to say the least.

I feel incredibly blessed already for all the friends and family members who have offered to help out during this difficult time. I know with their help and God’s amazing grace, I’ll make it through.

My sister Cathy is holding down the fort at our Jenison Shizzle Shop so business will go on as usual with the exception of Tuesday, September 15. She’ll be at the hospital with my mom and other friends while I’m in surgery.

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Jenison Shizzle Shop will be Closed September 15th, 2015

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Cathy will be teaching the September Workshops on September 16 and 19th as I’m in recovery. Cathy is an extremely talented artist and instructor and you’ll learn a ton from her workshops!

Join Cathy for a DIY Furniture Painting Workshop

Wednesday, September 16 or Saturday, September 19

We also have many new pieces of painted furniture ready for purchase ~ as of today, here’s what’s available for purchase. Stop in and see Cathy (I told her to have everything painted and all the paint sold by the time I get back to work ~ lol).

Mom and friends will help out with the girls making sure they get to and from school, practices… Please put in an extra prayer for them as this is very scary for them to deal with.

Many mahalos for all your thoughts and prayers as I go through this year of challenges. I won’t be able to type for quite some time.To keep up to date on my condition, please visit our Facebook Page by clicking:ShizzleLLC

Like our ShizzleLLC Facebook Page We share what we’re working on EVERY single DAY so you’ll usually find out about new classes, new products, new furniture, sales… if you follow us there. The more you comment, the higher your chance is of getting our daily posts.

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64 Comments

Susan Roy

Hello thanks for sharing your dx with us all, and I wish you the very best in recovery. My husband also had this very rare form of cancer; however when his was dx he was at a higher stage. It is very slow-growing and he received a donor leg, hip and eventually a pelvis! Our doctor told us it is so rare that he was told he may never see it in his career. It seems you will have the very best in care and I’m certain you will have a solid and full recovery. Love to you. Susan Roy

I read the same thing too Susan, that many oncologist surgeons never run across it. I could tell by the look in my primary care physician’s eyes that something wasn’t right when she walked back in from my very first x-ray. How long ago did your husband have his first surgery?

Patty Soriano

Shelly, thank God for the early detection! I hope you do well. It’s no fun being in the hospital. I pray you have wonderful Believers working on you before, during, and after your surgery. It sure makes one feel better knowing the doctors and nurses are praying, too ! Hugs from texas, patty

You got this girl! I am praying for you! I know its scary but you are one tough chick. Let me know if you need something when you get to the recovery stage. I will INFECT you will my humor. 🙂
Hugs my friend!
Karinhttp://www.artisbeauty.net

Kim Everhart

Theresa B.

Posted at 07:46h, 10 September

I had no idea you were going thru this! Lifting you high in healing prayer!!! I had melanoma surgery almost 10 years ago. Surgeon cut it out, no chemo or radiation, and I recovered well…you will too! Positive attitude, follow docs advise, eat healthy and this will be in your past very soon! Glad they got this early!!!!! Hugs!!!!!!!

Paula

Shelly, I’m curious to know what your symptoms were… how they knew what to look for.
I hope it isn’t insensitive of me to ask, just hoping to gain a little insight about this type of cancer.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Lots of hugs and prayers!!

Hi Paula ~ I went in to see my primary doctor because my shoulder has been bothering me since early February. The pain was especially bad in my shoulder blade and I thought because I had experienced the pain for so long that I tore something that wasn’t going to heal on it’s own. She did an x-ray of my shoulder and in the corner of the very first film she shot, the picture caught the top portion of my arm which showed the tumor loud and clear. I thought it was strange that the tech started asking me all these questions about my arm. She asked if I had had trauma to my arm… and I was thinking to myself, what’s the matter with her, doesn’t she know I’m in here for my shoulder? She excused herself and said, I’m going to send this film over to the doctor right away before I take the other pictures. I walked back across the hallway and I could tell by the look in my doctor’s eyes that something was wrong. She immediately ordered MRI’s to get better imaging and when the results from that came back in, I was referred to a doctor who specializes in sarcomas. That lead to an immediate CT scan of my chest, doctors appts. with an entire team of doctors, a biopsy and now surgery.

Paula

Posted at 20:19h, 12 September

Thank you so much for sharing your story with those of us that feel like we know you (even if only online!) I, along with I’m sure many many others, will be praying for a quick recovery! Hugs and lots of blessings!!

Just keeping it real. I remember when I first started reading blogs, I felt like ~ holy cow, they’ve got it all together. Look at how immaculate their homes are… as I sat in my duct-taped LaZyboy. I still have that old chair, only difference now is there’s a quilt tossed over it because it’s so grossly worn out that I’d be embarrassed for anyone to see it but I’ve never had the extra cash to replace it. One of these days yeah?? Just keeping it real. Ya do what’cha gotta do, one day at a time. Thanks for your prayers Paula!

Wendy

Praying in Texas for you, your girls and your providers. These cancer diagnoses are getting all too common, which doesn’t make it any less scary for you. I hope your surgery goes smoothly and you recover quickly and get back to what you love.

Johnette Beaver

You are in the best of hands “God’s” and I will be praying for you. I had to have something similar to this done to my hip back in 1974 from my hip being crushed in not from cancer but so much bone was gone they did it with the cement type of repair and I want you to know that I have never and I mean never experience pain from the surgery to this day. Keep your spirits up and know there are many of us keeping you in our hearts and prayers.

Heather Neiman

Humor keeps us from crying!! I prayed for your perseverance and for the cancer to get the eff out. Seems like cement and rods would make your arm heavy. Will you be dragging it behind you later? Be brave… Be f*cking brave!!

Oh my gosh! You are cracking me up right now Heather! No doubt yeah? I thought the same thing so now I can feel better about the 212 pounds I’m carrying around, I’ll blame it on the darn cement in my arm 😀

Betty Mitschke

Hi Shelly, guess God gives the rarest to the toughest! I pray for all who will be treating you during this time; and for you and your family as well. May His angels be with you. My prayers for you, Betty, from West Texas and a cancer survivor since 2010.
.

Ha! I don’t know about that ~ lol! I feel like I’ve been crushed by a landslide these days. Thanks for your prayers. It’s so very important that the surgeon gets every single cell with this type of cancer. So awesome you’re a survivor! I’ll keep you in my prayers as well!

Shelly, You are such an inspiration to me. You are going through so much in your life and still have such a cheery attitude! You are a darling person! I am praying for you and know that God will guide you through this. I will pray for a very quick recovery. Hugs from NC and a fellow Michigan sister. xo, Lisa

Oh, Shelly, I cannot believe you’re going through all of this 🙁 I’m grateful to hear that this is slow growing and unlikely to come back. Your attitude is amazing and that will speed your healing. You are so loved and have so many people sending prayers. That, along with your own gratitude, will give you a major advantage. Keep yourself laughing as much as you can (rent comedies) because that will help keep your spirits up while you recover. When you are healed, it sounds like you’re going to have a bionic arm! You will be in my prayers, girl.

God bless, Shelly, and it WILL all be behind you soon.

Susan Oden in Alto
(and R_of_R on twitter, the only way I could log in here).

Peggy Estes

Shelly, I am sad you have yet another struggle to deal with but you are such a fighter and you will be back and ready to do battle with a bionic arm!! My daughter is a cancer survivor as you will be!! It’s your turn to kick cancer square in the ass!! I pray for your successful surgery and an easy recovery. Be careful with yourself during the healing process and let others help you through this difficult time in your life!!! You are very loved!!! God be with you!!!

Thanks Peggy! I’m so glad you’re daughter is a survivor and I’m ready to kick it too! I hope my arm works well afterwards. The tumor goes pretty high in my arm so I’m hoping he has enough to tie into without altering my range of motion in my shoulder.

Amanda

I’m not a regular reader / follower but I do come back here every so often to drool over your patchwork style dresser. I hope your surgery went well and have said a prayer for you and your family during this difficult time. God bless.

Paula

Just thinking of you today Shelly… I’m hoping that surgery went well and you are on the mend. I know you are focusing on your healing at the moment, but just wanted to throw some virtual positive thoughts and energy your way. Get em girl! You SO have this thing!

Thanks Paula! Surgery did go well. I have a mean, ugly scar and some serious hardware, cement, rods and about 16 screws and bolts that make up my arm now but I’m feeling very blessed to be cancer free!

Shelly, I just stopped by because I haven’t seen anything new from you in awhile and that’s when I found out the bad news. Girl, by the time you see this, you will already be in recovery. I hope things went well and that you are on the mend. I know we haven’t met, but I have been with you and your blog for 4 years now! I know what a strong person you are just by reading your posts. You will beat this and be back painting in no time flat! For now, get your needed rest. You are a fighter. Keep us posted darlin’. XOXOX

Thanks Beth! I so wish I could meet each and every one of you too. Can you imagine how much fun that would be if we just had a massive painting extravaganza? I’m on some serious pain meds right now which are helping me get through this initial recovery period. I’ve got a long road ahead of me. Thanks for the encouragement!!

HI Shelly, hope this finds you doing much better, which I realize is pretty relative at this point in your recovery. So glad your cancer is gone but you have a ton of cement in your arm now. When you get on a scale remember to tell who is weighing you about the concrete.
When I get on scale I remove anything I can to bring that number down. Gained 15 lbs. in last few months due to eating too much junk and Burger King. Gotten too easy to hit BK instead of cooking for ourselves.
How are you and Cathy feeling? hope over your colds/etc. Poor bodies were just downright tired and picked up whatever in the air. Stress might have something to do with it also.
I’ll be having right my shoulder replaced on Dec. 7th but knowing what you have dealt with will make mine seem much easier. Remind me of that when I’m whining ok. So glad you have lots of family/friends to cheer you on.
Every day I realize what I won’t be able to do on my own for while. I’m left handed so that makes it easier to fill my face. But bathing, dressing, won’t be easy. Ah well. Wish could go to your sale but as you can imagine our fortunes will be shortened alot with hospital bills. I shudder to think what your hospital bills must be. You take good care of yourself first of all. Hope your Mom is doing much better also. Your family has sure had it all lately, now time for good stuff to happen. Will you be having therapy?
Happy weekend

Shelly,
I am so sorry to say that I missed your message about your cancer back in September. I just read it and am thinking and praying for you. I lost two sisters and a father with cancer, so know how it is for the family anyway. I pray that your daughters are doing well. It is a blessing that you have a family and children to be with you. I read your blog and read where you are using and selling Frenchic chalk and mineral paint. Hos do you get a list or chart of the paint colors and am also interested in the wax when you get it. Also would like to know the price of it. I am so excited for you and your sister. Shelly I know you are going to do great and just think you have come through the worse part (I hope). God is with you so know that all your friends are to.

Gail D.

Today is 5.26.2016, a d I hope to find out that you have licked the cancer with no compications or recurrences. Please let me know. We lost my youngest sister to leiomyosarcoma in 1992, and it’s a really tough thing for the whole family. So I am really rooting for you. I am afraid, however, that I am confused by your site–what exactly do you carry? Gail

I’m so sorry for your loss Gail. I’ve never heard of that type of sarcoma. Shoot, I hadn’t even heard of chondrosarcoma until I was diagnosed with it. I am cancer free as far as I know. I’m past due for my scans but my new medical insurance hasn’t kicked in yet so I had to cancel everything until I’m up and running with the new. We currently carry six lines of paint. Three that we’re keeping (Frenchic Furniture Paint, APC & Old Town paints) and three that we’re clearing out(Junk Gypsy, Rachel Ashwell and Faux Real). http://shizzle-design.com/store If you have any particular questions on the paints, feel free to email me at shizzledesign@gmail.com. You can also get lots of ideas by clicking on painted furniture makeovers Underneath the Portfolio button. The process, colors… of each piece is written about in a blog post http://shizzle-design.com/portfolio/furniture-makeovers